By: Bettencourt, et al. S.B. No. 509
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action
under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter E, Chapter 273,
Election Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. INJUNCTION OR RESTRAINING ORDER
SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 273, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 273.082 to read as follows:
Sec. 273.082. TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER; NOTICE. (a) As
soon as practicable before a hearing in an action under this code
seeking a temporary restraining order, a court must electronically
notify the attorney general of the hearing at the e-mail address
designated under Subsection (e).
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a court may not
hold a hearing described by Subsection (a) sooner than two hours
after the court provides notice to the attorney general under
Subsection (a).
(c) The attorney general may, after receiving notice under
Subsection (a), waive the requirement of Subsection (b).
(d) A court shall allow the attorney general to participate
remotely in a hearing in an action under this code seeking a
temporary restraining order, using any reasonably available
method.
(e) The attorney general shall designate an e-mail address
at which to receive a notice under this section.
(f) A temporary restraining order issued in violation of
this section is void and unenforceable.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.